Buffalo Bills News - February 5, 2001

Pro Bowl Photos [7:09 PM]TBD reports:
'One of the greatest aspects of Two Bills Drive is that we have readers located throughout the world. So when it comes time to share Bills news, we have "local" reporters in every market! Sunday was no exception, as longtime Stadium Wall message board poster, Eric/Hawaii, sent us his photos from the Pro Bowl! Thanks Eric!'

Bills resign three players [5:10 PM]TBD reports:
Orchard Park, NY - The Buffalo Bills today announced that the team has re-signed guard Corey Hulsey, defensive end Jarrett Procell, and fullback Josh Roth. All three players were with the team as unsigned free agents during the 2000 preseason and spent the entire regular season on the practice squad. Roth played at the University of Buffalo after starring at Pine Valley Central High School. Hulsey and Procell joined the team as unsigned rookie free agents out of Clemson and Louisiana Tech, respectively.

Bills have had an impressive postseason [4:04 PM]Olean Times Herald reports:
'It's telling that there was no groundswell of protest when Wilson tendered Phillips his pink slip. And, since then, the Bills' 82-year-old owner has done everything right ... either by plan, or sheer good fortune.'

Marvin Lewis's Agent Accuses Bills of Bias [9:28 AM]New York Times reports:
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Anderson, Lewis's very vocal agent, accuses the Bills of bias in the negotiations with Lewis. If anything the Bills were biased TOWARD Lewis for Lewis was the only candidate who got a second interview due to him "not interviewing well" the first time. Tom Donahoe, who hired him before in Pittsburgh, felt he may have been exhausted after his Super Bowl run and wanted to give him a second chance.

"A coaching change could be coming on the Lions' offensive line. Carl Mauck, who played 12 NFL seasons with four teams, was at the Silverdome on Friday. Mauck has been an NFL assistant with six teams since 1982 and with Buffalo the last three. His units have reflected his toughness as a player."

Levy, Buoniconti hope their achievements stand forever [9:22 AM]Online Athens reports:
'Marv and a Fish agree - they hope their accomplishments stand forever. With NFL parity, Levy's record of coaching four straight Superbowls is more likely to stand than Buoniconti's record of being a member of an undefeated team.'

Lions tap Mauck [8:54 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'The Buffalo Bills have lost another assistant coach from the Wade Phillips regime as offensive line coach Carl Mauck has reached an agreement to coach in the same capacity for the Detroit Lions, The Buffalo News has learned.'

February 4, 2001

Numbers game [8:59 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'The Bills currently stand about $13.4 million over the NFL's projected salary cap of $67.4 million for 2001, according to salary figures obtained by The Buffalo News.'

Bills ready big offer to Moulds [8:58 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Greg Johnson, one of Moulds' New Orleans-based agents...would not comment on the contract, but league sources said the Bills' offer is a six-year deal worth between $58 and $60 million dollars.'

Gilbride candidate for Bills job [8:20 AM]Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports:
'Bills coach Gregg Williams worked with Gilbride when both men were assistant coaches with the Houston Oilers in the early 1990s. Gilbride also worked closely with Bills quarterback Rob Johnson in Jacksonville.'

The Bills are due for division title [8:17 AM]D and C reports:
'The division's easiest schedule is another huge plus (Carolina, New Orleans, Pittsburgh and Seattle at home; Atlanta, Jacksonville, San Diego and San Francisco on the road). The Bills get a huge break as the only team in the division that they won't play St. Louis.'

Marvin Lewis's Agent Accuses Bills of Bias [8:16 AM]New York Times reports:
'Other team officials said Lewis did not interview well, something Anderson vehemently denied. When Dungy was going for head-coaching positions in the early 1990's, he was also accused of interviewing poorly.'

Small Hero, Big Heart [7:45 AM]D and C reports:
"Surrounded by immense love, Hunter Kelly will turn 4 on Valentine's Day, achieving a milestone that defies the odds. . .The birthday -- a milestone for the child who doctors weren't sure would survive his first year -- will be celebrated at a public party staged by Hunter's Hope. That's the foundation his parents -- former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly and his wife, Jill -- established for research into Krabbe's (kra BAYZ) disease, the rare and fatal genetic disorder that is degenerating Hunter's nervous system. "

Cowart soldiers on [12:56 AM]NFL.com reports:
'The severe ankle injury that cut short Sam Cowart's 2000 season by a month couldn't keep him from being selected to his first Pro Bowl. And it apparently won't prevent the standout inside linebacker from playing in it. Cowart has practiced all week with the AFC's all-star squad, and plans to see action in Sunday's game at Aloha Stadium.'

February 3, 2001

Williams Starts Out Under Pressure [6:49 PM]Buffalo Post reports:
'It's easy to see why Donahoe was so impressed. During his first news conference, Williams proved articulate, focused and in possession of both definite goals and a sense of humor.'

By Ignoring Lewis, The NFL Shows Its True Colors [1:48 PM]Washington Post reports:
'And as Tampa Bay's Tony Dungy said to John Thompson on WTEM-980 Thursday, Lewis not getting hired isn't nearly as bad as Lewis not being interviewed by anybody other than Buffalo. That's shameful.'

Bills' pass on M. Lewis as coach exposes 'flawed' process in NFL [1:45 PM]Baltimore Sun reports:
'"Sure, there was some pressure," Lewis said. "But that's one of the reasons why I didn't want the job. It had to be the right situation for me and my family. I think our people will appreciate the fact that you don't have to take every job because it is extended out there."'

A super time to remember super heroes [11:01 AM]Naples Daily News reports:
'The Bills/Giants superbowl has been labelled as one of the greatest - this years superbowl was supposed to another such matchup was weak in comparision.'

Detroit News Opinion piece [11:00 AM]Detroit News reports:
'Why did Marvin Lewis not get a job as head coach? He was labelled the front runner by so many people that he was bypassed by some teams who did not feel they had a chance of hiring him and did not want to wait until after the Superbowl.

Some people find color more important than qualifications, preparation or interviewing skills - that is discrimination, deplorable and a waste of talent. But what is AS deplorable is labelling every decision which which you do not agree with as discrimination.

Lewis may be bypassed for intrerviews due to actions of Lewis's agent and his supporters; no one likes taking personal shots for giving someone a long look when others did not take a glance.

Williams To Buffalo: How It Happened [9:59 AM]Titans Radio reports:
'The Titans may be regretting it later but the Titans were instrumental in having Bills President Donahoe to consider Williams; when Capers was hired as HC of the Houston Texans, Donahoe asked several people around the league to see if he was leaving anyone out in his search including Titans General Manager Floyd Reese.'

New Bills coach a man of substance [9:23 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Based on the take of Bills President Tom Donahoe, it now can be said Williams did not just ace his interview for the Buffalo job. He royal flushed it.'

Donahoe: One QB will have to go [9:23 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"Because of the cap, we can't afford to keep both quarterbacks," Donahoe said at the Bills Fieldhouse. "I don't think economically it's feasible to do it, and secondly, it's not good for your team."'

Williams, Donahoe have a plan in place [9:22 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'It seems as if the building of a staff, the remaking of the offense, the direction of the defense and the settlement of the forever-running quarterback controversy may have been resolved between the orange juice and scrambled eggs Friday morning.'

Jumping the gun [9:09 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'On Thursday, the Bills web site briefly put out a release announcing the hiring of Gregg Williams as the team's new coach several hours before the team officially announced his hiring. What happened?.."It was an honest mistake," said Berchtold.'

Bills, Donahoe just liked Williams for coaching job [8:11 AM]Olean Times Herald reports:
'And, get this, he even scouted assistant coaches compiling a dossier on their strengths, weaknesses, and whereabouts, just in case he had to fill a staff on short notice.'